A night in your lodge, breakfast in the open air… and the question that inevitably comes up in the morning: “What shall we do today?” Good news: Lake Serre-Ponçon is just a few minutes away. You’ve got one of the most beautiful water sports playgrounds in the Southern Alps right on your doorstep.
Here are our favourite spots and some practical tips. Because we’d love for you to come back tanned, happy and with wonderful memories.
Serre-Ponçon: why is it such an exceptional water sports destination?
A quick geographical reminder – and one we never tire of: covering an area of 28 km², Lake Serre-Ponçon is the largest artificial lake in France.
Created in the 1960s by damming the waters of the Durance and Ubaye rivers, it offers an impressive range of water sports: sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing and kayaking, wakeboarding, motorboating, water skiing, swimming… All this in a truly breathtaking alpine setting, with waters that shift from emerald green to turquoise blue depending on the light and the season.
And for those of you staying at the Lodges de la Valière in Chorges, all this is just a short cycle ride away – or even a short walk.
Chanteloube Bay: our favourite spot, and it’s just a stone’s throw away
Why we love this place
Chanteloube Bay is our favourite spot, just 3 km from the Lodges. Untamed, unspoilt and nestled amongst pine trees and steep banks, it has that special authentic charm you don’t find everywhere. Here, there are no car horns or crowds: just the lake, the wind in your sails and the mountains as a backdrop. A little further on (5 km from the Lodges), Trémouilles Beach – also in the commune of Chorges, facing the Grand Morgon – offers spectacular scenery.
The Chanteloube water sports centre: sailing, stand-up paddleboarding and much more
This is where you’ll find the Club Nautique de Chanteloube, A sailing school affiliated to the French Sailing Federation, open from 1 June to 30 September. With over 90 boats, windsurf boards and other craft, they offer something to suit all levels and all ages: catamarans, Optimists, windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking, pedalos, stand-up paddleboarding and even rowing. State-qualified instructors lead the courses and taster sessions. Perfect if you’re a beginner or want to improve your skills the proper way.
Chanteloube Bay, Chorges – Tel. 04 92 50 61 08 – info@voile-chanteloube.com
You can get there on foot or by bike!
And we’re proud of that. From the Lodges de la Valière, it’s perfectly possible to reach Chanteloube Bay without a car. Signposted routes, suitable for walking, mountain biking or gravel biking, link Chorges to the two bays via shaded paths and peaceful hamlets. A mountain bike route takes you to Chanteloube and then on to Saint-Michel Bay in a loop, for those who want to combine exercise with exploring. Set off early in the morning, cycle to the lake, hire a paddleboard, have a picnic opposite Saint-Michel Chapel… We can think of few mornings more perfect than that.
Saint-Michel Bay: the lake’s must-see attraction
A place unlike any other
Saint-Michel Bay is the symbol of Lake Serre-Ponçon. You simply cannot spend time here without seeing it at least once. The Saint-Michel Chapel, perched on its small rocky islet as if suspended between sky and water, is one of the most photographed sights in the Hautes-Alpes, and it’s easy to see why. With views of the Pic du Morgon, a shaded beach and calm waters perfect for swimming, it’s the ideal day out.
The water sports centre at Baie Saint-Michel: everything you need for fun on the water
On site, the Base Nautique de la Baie Saint-Michel offers a great range of activities: pedalos, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddleboarding and giant paddleboards, motorboat hire (with or without a licence), towable tubes… The beach is kitted out and lifeguarded in July and August, with toilet facilities, a first-aid post, picnic areas… in short, everything you need for a wonderful day out enjoying nature, relaxation and sport. A snack bar with a waterside terrace is the perfect place to take a breather between sessions.
Our tip: to reach Saint-Michel Bay from Chorges, a cycle and walking path has been created. Accessible on foot or by mountain bike, it’s 5.73 km from Chorges station, taking about 1 hour 20 minutes to walk there. Along the way, you’ll pass through farmland and woodland, accompanied by birdsong. And when you arrive? The panoramic view of the chapel and the lake will more than make up for the effort.
From Baie Saint-Michel, you can then continue on foot to Baie de Chanteloube by following the lakeside path and the Sentier des Curattes. A memorable day of hiking and swimming, with an impeccable carbon footprint.
Stand-up paddleboarding: the activity of the summer – and it’s easy to see why it’s so popular
Why stand-up paddleboarding has become THE water sport trend
Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, is simple: you stand on a board and paddle your way forward. Easy to learn, accessible from the very first go, excellent for improving balance and strengthening core muscles, and above all… incredibly addictive when you’re out on an alpine lake at sunrise. Lake Serre-Ponçon is the perfect spot for this sport: the calm morning waters, the coves to explore and the 360° panoramic views of the mountains make for an exceptional setting.
We recommend setting off early, preferably before 10 am, to enjoy the still waters before the thermal wind picks up.
But there’s no need to rush, as even with a bit of wind, the lake generally remains stable (with some exceptions, of course; we are in the mountains after all – see our weather tips below).
Where can you hire a paddleboard around the lake?
Several reputable providers offer SUP hire in the area:
- Club Nautique de Chanteloube – Chorges: stand-up paddleboard hire from €12 per hour, in the unspoilt setting of Chanteloube Bay.
- Base Nautique de la Baie Saint-Michel – Chorges: paddleboards and giant paddleboards available for hire on site.
- L’Ancre Bleue – Savines-le-Lac: hire by the hour or for half a day, with even a ‘Big Paddle’ option for 2 to 4 people. Ideal for friends or family.
- La Petite Mer / Base Nautique Serre-Ponçon – Savines-le-Lac (La Voilerie beach): stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking and pedalos by the lake, with life jackets and waterproof phone pouches provided. A well-equipped spot between the sailing school and the restaurant.
Savines-le-Lac and the Embrun lake: more places to explore
Savines-le-Lac: the village right by the water’s edge
Rebuilt after the lake was flooded in the 1960s, Savines-le-Lac is a village entirely centred around the lake. Its accessible beaches, waterside restaurants and water sports providers make it a pleasant place to stop off. It’s about a ten-minute drive from Les Lodges – a great day trip for a change of scenery.
The Embrun lake: ideal for beginners and families
In Embrun, the lake offers a more sheltered setting, perfectly suited to first-time water activities. The CNA Embrun offers windsurf boards, catamarans, dinghies, windfoils and wingfoils for hire, both on sheltered waters and on open lakes, depending on your ability. A great place for anyone wishing to try their hand at sailing in a relaxed atmosphere.
Bois-Vieux in Rousset: the beach with the unique floating pool
Do you enjoy the lake, but prefer to swim in a designated area rather than out in the open water? Then Bois-Vieux is the place for you. Located in Rousset, at the foot of the Serre-Ponçon dam, this beach, shaded by pine trees, is home to what is described as “the only floating swimming pool of its kind in France”: a 250 m² wooden structure set upon the lake’s waters, accessible from the beach via a jetty. Two pools await you there: a large 200 m² pool 1.5 m deep, and a small 50 m² pool 70 cm deep, ideal for younger children.
One important point to bear in mind: the floating swimming pool is filled with natural water from Lake Serre-Ponçon (without any additional filtration), but it offers a defined, secure area supervised by lifeguards in July and August from 11.00 to 19.00. This is where its real value lies: swimming peacefully, under supervision, without venturing out into the vast expanse of the lake. Access to the pool is free. Outside the supervised hours, it is removed from the water, and the beach remains open for free swimming.
The setting is absolutely superb: hammocks in the shade of the pine trees, a children’s playground, picnic areas, and a snack bar with a waterside terrace. And just a two-minute walk away along a botanical trail, the Muséoscope du Lac and the Belvédère offer a sweeping panoramic view of the dam and its surroundings.
Water sports and equipment hire on site
It is also a busy water sports centre. Bois Vieux Nautisme offers on-site hire of pedalos, canoes, kayaks, boats that do not require a licence and boats that do require a licence. There is also a water-skiing school and a stand-up paddleboarding school — ideal if you’d like to try your hand at SUP in a more sheltered environment than the open lake. For thrill-seekers, Naturoll is also based in Bois-Vieux and offers wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakefoiling and tubing.
How about combining a day at the lake with a return to the lodge?
That’s exactly what we love to offer you: days that get off to a flying start on the water and wind down gently at La Valière. Here are a few ideas that are sure to hit the spot:
The brunch alpin by the lake. Did you know that our Alpine brunch is available to take away? Set off early in the morning for Chanteloube Bay or Saint-Michel Bay, settle down by the water’s edge, and unpack your takeaway brunch by the lake. Pastries, local produce, hot drinks… It’s our breakfast in the great outdoors, with a panoramic view.
The planche apéro on your return. After a lovely day on the lake, there’s nothing better than an aperitif platter in your lodge, just as the golden light caresses the mountains. We can prepare it for you in advance, so all you have to do is put down your bag and pop the cork.
The hot tub under the stars. And in the evening? It’s the perfect time to slip into your lodge’s hot tub. A little tip whilst we’re at it:L'Écrin is now equipped with a hot tub, in addition to the sauna and cold plunge pool. All three of our lodges now feature a private outdoor hot tub. After a day of paddling, the sequence of sauna, cold plunge pool and hot tub under the stars is what you might call a luxurious way to unwind.
A massage at the end of your stay. If your shoulders have been working hard on the paddleboard, our wellness services include massages, available by appointment. It’s the sort of detail that turns a lovely stay into an unforgettable memory.
Mountain weather: what you need to know before heading out onto the water
A serious word of advice, because it’s important, and because we want to see you come back safe and sound.
The weather in the Hautes-Alpes can be very changeable, and this is true in all seasons. The morning may be glorious, only for a storm to break out in the late afternoon. Thermal winds often pick up after 11am, and are stronger between Savines and Embrun, reaching force 3 to 5, or even higher. In the event of bad weather coming in from Italy via the east, the bays of Chanteloube and Saint-Michel offer better shelter than the open lake.
So, here are a few things to make a habit of doing before you set off:
- Check the weather forecast the day before and on the morning of your trip. Local weather apps do the job very well.
- Take a bottle of water with you – and several if you’re setting off on foot or by bike. Water sources are scarce on the trails.
- Pack a waterproof jacket or a windbreaker, even in fine weather. At altitude, the weather can change quickly.
- Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses: the sun beats down hard at an altitude of 800 metres, and the glare off the lake intensifies the exposure.
- A light, warm jumper for the return journey or if you’re staying by the water in the evening.
And even if you’re heading to the bays on foot or by bike, don’t try to lighten your bag by taking less than you need. We know what we’re talking about: we’re in the Hautes-Alpes, and we love it here, but we respect the mountains.
In summary: a perfect day from the Lodges de la Valière
This is what your ideal day might look like in June, July or August, or even early September (after that, quite a few rental companies have reduced opening hours, so do remember to contact them before planning your water sports activities).
A gentle wake-up in your lodge. Breakfast with unlimited organic drinks, or an Alpine brunch (which you can take away). Set off by bike or on foot towards Saint-Michel Bay via the Chorges greenway. Hire a stand-up paddleboard at the water sports centre and explore the unspoilt coves around Saint-Michel Chapel. Enjoy a picnic or a snack there. Return in the late afternoon. And to round it all off: a private hot tub, a platter of appetisers, perhaps a massage, and the sunset over the Alps as a bonus.
We haven’t invented the perfect package, but we’re getting pretty close.
Fancy booking your stay? We look forward to welcoming you to Chorges. Drop us a line at contact@lodges-valiere.fr
or call us at 07 60 25 08 99.